Tributes paid to outgoing Offaly County Councillor as he hangs up his political hat

TRIBUTES were paid to Councillor Danny Owens at the May meeting of Tullamore Municipal District. Cllr Owens is retiring from politics and last Thursday was his final meeting.

Leading the accolades was Cathaoirleach Councillor Declan Harvey who wished Councillor Owens the best of luck in the future. ''We will mark it in an official way in the next few weeks,'' he said. 

''You have been a great ambassador for your area, for the town and for the Tullamore Municipal District. You have been a really good councillor, you served your town well over the years. You have come to the end of the term. I do wish you and your wife and two sons and two daughters the very best.You have been a huge help to me. Sometimes we disagree on things but you always put me on the straight and narrow, that's what I like about you. When something had to be said you said it. You get your point across and you do it and you do it right. I want to wish you the best of luck with your health, your life and your retirement.''

Cllr Frank Moran said, ''you served with distinction at home and abroad. You represented the town in New York on St Patrick's Day with regard to your chairmanship of full council three times. You served with distinction over the years. You were a great advocate and always had great advice. We might not always have agreed but you always left whatever issues we had in this chamber. 20 years as a public representative, it's a huge achievement. I wish you well in your retirement.''

Councillor Tony McCormack said, ''we all knew him first of all as a hurler and a great hurler at that. He was Captain of the Offaly team that won the league and he was inducted into the hall of fame recently. But he took a lot of those skills that he had within the hurling into the chamber, in both the Offaly county council chamber and Tullamore District chamber. He has worked tirelessly and passionately for the people of his area and indeed the whole Municipal District of Tullamore. He will be greatly missed. Well done Danny and thank you for all the conversations we have had. It was good to be able to work with you.''

Councillor Neil Feighery, remarked that Cllr Owens was putting a great effort into the local elections at the moment.

''It's a measure of the man that he is doing the leg work and putting his best foot forward. Before I decided to run, I spoke to Danny outside mass in Mountbolus. He wished me well. We had great fun and we worked very well together. He has been an ambassador on the sports field. We will miss him here in the Chamber; his loss will be felt. I wish you the best of health and wish you Eileen and all the family well.''

Councillor Sean O'Brien, said, Councillor Owens ''gave us great pleasure in the glory years of Offaly GAA, then in management afterwards.It was a pleasure working with you on the council. We had a few close run-ins. I always considered you a gentleman and I want to wish you the best of health. You have served this council well.''

Councillor Sandy Feehan Smollen said she had only been on the council a short while but added, ''well done on all your years and the best of luck to you and your family.''

Director of Services Tom Shanahan wished Councillor Owens well on behalf of the executive.

Responding, Councillor Owens said, ''Thanks for all your comments and support I will carry them back to my wife who put up with a lot when I was training and playing hurling. She was always carrying the can, and she is looking forward to seeing me more. A thousand thanks,'' he said.